One of the pilots reported a “medical issue” after a laser was shone into the cockpit about six miles from Heathrow.

A Virgin Atlantic flight to New York has been forced to return to Heathrow Airport after a laser beam was pointed at the plane – prompting urgent action in the cockpit.

Audio of the plane’s exchange with air traffic control describes one of the pilots having a “medical issue” following the incident, which occurred “six or seven miles” west of Heathrow.

Virgin confirmed Flight VS025 to JFK – which had 252 passengers and 15 crew on board – had been abandoned as a “precautionary measure” after the plane’s First Officer reported “feeling unwell”.All the passengers on the flight – which took off just before 8pm – are safe, but they will have to wait until 1pm on Monday to continue their journey because of “limited availability”.read more